For the past few years, I've read a considerable amount of books, a few of them being classics we all know and love. Why is it that this generation seems to throw back in disgust when presented with an old book? Maybe it's because the language of a classic is too intense for the reader. Maybe it will actually benefit the reader's education. Maybe it could even broaden one's vocabulary. Either way, I believe it is important to read overall, and even one classic once in awhile. I'm not going to tell you to read a 500 page book, but there are smaller ones that will intrigue readers and non readers alike. Let's take this journey one page at a time.

The first classic I read on my own was "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. I was a sophomore in high school, and needed to choose a historic novel, so I figured I would give that one a try. I loved it. The time of the Civil War, the strong faith in God within the sisters. I learned about history, I learned how to read a book not written in my generation. I appreciated new ways to describe imagery, and character development. I enjoyed the setting (which grew my fondness for history even more) I loved the way people spoke back then, so elegant yet intelligently that it intrigued me, and made me think about the way I spoke and how my diction sounded.

Yes, this book was mandatory to read, but I could've chosen a book written in my time, but it would not have challenged me to discover better vocabulary words, and learn more about history. That's what classic books do, they challenge us to seek what the old days consisted of. "Little Women" was a privilege to read, and a few others as well, such as "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Catcher in the Rye" by R.D. Salinger, and "Far from the Madding Crowd" by Thomas Hardy, and "The Hobbit" by the great J.R.R Tolkien. There are books that will grab my attention, but not at first. It may take a few pages, but how exciting is it to dive in deep into a story written decades ago?

If readers struggle with searching for classics to read, they can start looking for ones that have to do with interests. History lovers will thrive with any classic really, mystery lovers will enjoy Sherlock Holmes books, suspenseful or horror seekers will like Frankenstein, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and maybe books by Stephen King. There are many more to discover! Trust me, after reading a classic, your brain will thank you. Classic books are becoming forgotten, we need to be aware that classics hold value and secrets that only we can know of, if we read. You don't have to read a classic novel to become smarter, but reading overall is crucial to helping the brain and even tuning into other's emotions. Reading anything will strengthen the mind, but reading an old classic, will spark the imagination.